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Amala
in Worship:
Hindu scriptures provide some general guidelines for the use of plants in worship.
Lakshmi (the goddess of prosperity), who is especially associated with this tree, is worshipped with its leaves, especially in the month of Marga Shirsha (November/December).
Some trees are believed to have originated from bodies or limbs of Gods. The
Peepul, or Bo-tree, was born from the body of Lord Vishnu. Palas, Flame of the forest, was born from the body of Brahma.
Amla (Emblic myrobalan) rose from tears of Brahma and the Rudraksha (Blue marble tree) grew from tears shed by Siva.
Amala Plant:
A small to medium sized deciduous tree, 8-18m. in height with crooked trunk and spreading branches. Leaves simple, sub sessile; flower greenish-yellow; fruit nearly spherical pale yellow with 6 vertical furrows.
Chemical Constituents:
To investigate the chemical constituents of Tibetan medicine Phyllanthus emblica
( amla ). RESULT: 11 compounds were isolated in amla and identified as gallic
acid (I), ellagic acid (II), 1-O-galloyl-beta-D-glucose (III),
3,6-di-O-galloyl-D-glucose (IV), chebulinic acid (V), quercetin (VI), chebulagic
acid (VII), corilagin (VIII), 3-ethylgallic acid (3-ethoxy-4,5-dihydroxy-benzoic
acid, IX), isostrictiniin (X) ascorbic acid
Cultivation
SOIL AND CLIMATE
Amla can be grown in light as well as heavy soils except purely sandy soil. Calcareous soil with rocky substratum can also be good. However, well drained fertile loamy soil is the best for higher yield. The plant have capacity for adaptation to dry regions and can also grow in moderately alkaline soils. It is grown extensively under tropical condition. Annual rainfall of 630-800 mm have given good yield. The young plants up to the age of 3 years should be protected from hot wind during May-June and from frost during winter months. The mature plants can tolerate freezing temperature as well as temperature up to 460C.
PLANTING
Amla is generally propagated through seeds, but seed propagated trees bear inferior quality fruits and have a long gestation period. Shield budding is done on one year old seedlings with buds collected from superior strains yielding big size fruits. Older trees of inferior types can be rejuvenated and easily changed into superior type by top working.
The pits of 1m3 are prepared during May-June at a distance of 4.5 m spacing and should be left for 15-20 days exposed to sunlight. Each pit should be filled with surface soil mixed with 15 kg farm yard manure and one kg of super phosphate before planting the grafted seedling.
THINNING AND WEEDING
Weeding & Hoeing is required in nursery.
MANURES, FERTILISERS AND PESTICIDES
The medicinal plants have to be grown without chemical fertilizers and use of pesticides. Organic manures like, Farm Yard Manure (FYM),
Vermi-Compost, Green Manure etc. may be used as per requirement of the species. To prevent diseases, bio-pesticides could be prepared (either single or mixture) from Neem (kernel, seeds & leaves),
Chitrakmool, Dhatura, Cow's urine etc.
IRRIGATION
Amla plants hardly require irrigation during monsoon. Young plants require watering during summer months at 15 days interval till they have fully established. Watering of mature fruit bearing plants is advised during summer months at bi-weekly intervals to increase fruit set and to reduce fruit drop. It responds very well to drip irrigation. After the monsoon rains, during October-December about 25-30 litres of water per day per tree through drips should be given.
HARVESTING/ POST HARVESTING
Amla seedlings start bearing fruits in 7-8 years after planting, while the budded clones will start bearing fruits from the 5th year onwards. The fruits are light green at first, but when they mature become dull greenish yellow. Best harvesting time of Amla fruits is February when the fruits have maximum ascorbic acid content. In South India, fruits are found throughout the year. The mature fruits are hard and they do not fall for gentle touch and therefore vigorous shaking is required. For getting attractive prices fruits after harvest should be made into different grades depending on the size. Fruits can also be harvested using long bamboo poles attached with hooks.
YIELD
A matured tree of about 10 years will yield 50-70 kg of fruit. The average weight of the fruits is 60-70 g. One kg contains about 1`5-20 number of fruits. A well maintained tree will be yielding up to an age of 70 years. The yield increases year by year up to 50 years.
Amala as Medicinal Herb
Amla is one of the richest natural sources of vitamin C, its fresh juice containing nearly twenty times as much vitamin C as orange juice.
Clinical tests on patients suffering from pulmonary tuberculosis have shown that this high concentrate is more quickly assimilated then the synthetic vitamin. It is an ingredient of many Ayurvedic medicines and tonics, as it removes excessive salivation, nausea, vomiting, giddiness,
spermatorrhoea, internal body heat and menstrual disorders. Because it is also cooling, it increases
sattwa, and is an excellent liver tonic.
Ayurveda recommends taking a tonic made from the fruit throughout the winter months. The fresh fruit is a diuretic and a laxative. A cooling and refreshing drink can be made from it. Ayurvedic doctors
( Vaidya) recommend drinking
the juice during the summer months when the body’s functions become sluggish due to the heat. To clear the bowels and correct digestion boil four teaspoons of Amla powder, four teaspoons of Myrobalans Chebulic and
four teaspoons of Bahera, in twenty ounces of water. For best results, two ounces should be consumed in the early morning on an empty stomach.
The dried Amla fruit is astringent and useful in cases of diarrhoea and dysentery. It is also a very important ingredient in the famous
Chyavanaprash, and a constituent of Triphala (three fruits) powder. The application of a small quantity of Amla oil to the head before bathing removes diseases of the eyes, night blindness and bilious
giddiness. Amla confection is used in syphilis, flatulence, bronchitis, asthma and
consumption. A series of clinical tests on the Amla have found that the fruit contains elements that are anti-viral, raise the total protein level in the body, activate the adrenaline response, and protect against tremors and convulsions. The Amla is also said to bestow
beauty.
Unlike other preserves Amla does not lose its properties over time but retains its curative power and quality. Dried Amla is an excellent digestive, which can be consumed after food.
According to Ayurveda the traditional medicine system of India Amla
fruit is one of the strongest rejuvenators. Amla
rebuilds new tissues and increases the red blood cell count. It cleanses the mouth,
strengthens the teeth, stops the bleeding of gums and improves
eyesight. it nourishes the bones and promotes the growth of healthy, lustrous hair and strong nails. It is considered acrid,
cooling, astringent, diuretic and laxative.
Amla has most anti-diabetic property. To prevent or cure
diabetes take a fresh one-fourth cup of Amla or a tea spoon of
Amla powder with a tea spoon of turmeric powder everyday.
Amala Side Effects
No side effect is found.
Economics
The 8-year old plantation of one hectare will yield 20-25 tons of fruits with a cost of production of Rs.34,000 per-ha. The rate for a kg of fruit Rs.15-30.
Net income- per hectare: Rs.20,000/-(YEAR-2001)
Note: Market for medicinal plants is volatile and the prices may
vary.
Modern Research
Amla was shown to be an effective food supplement
during the treatment of insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus,
at a study in Coimbatore.
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